Ivory Coast into African Cup final with 3-1 win over Congo
BATA, Equatorial Guinea (AP) - Ivory Coast is into the final of the African Cup of Nations as big-name players Yaya Toure and Gervinho scored in a 3-1 win over outsider Congo on Saturday.
Toure hammered a half-volley into the net in the 20th minute for Ivory Coast's early lead in the first semifinal. Congo won a penalty three minutes later and Dieumerci Mbokani converted for 1-1.
Gervinho scored with a sweet first-time shot a minute after he had a header cleared off the line.
Defender Wilfried Kanon bundled in the third from close range in the 68th to make sure the Ivorians' progressed to their third African Cup final in the last six tournaments.
Ivory Coast lost its last two finals and is desperately seeking a first title since 1992.
Congo's Diedonnei Mbokani, right, is challenged by Ivory Coast's captain Yaya Toure, right, during their African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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Congo's Chancel Mbemba, left, tackles Ivory Coast's Max Gradel, during their African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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Congo's Chancel Mbemba, left, tackles Ivory Coast's Max Gradel, right, during their African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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Ivory Coast's captain Yaya Toure, left, protest to the referee Neant Alioum of Cameroon, about a penalty given against them during their African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match against Congo in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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Congo's Diedonnei Mbokani, celebrates his goal during their African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match against Ivory Coast in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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Ivory Coastâs Gervinho waits for the start of their African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match against Congo in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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A Congolese soccer fan waits for the start of the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match between Congo and Ivory Coast in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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An Ivorian soccer fan reacts as his national team walks onto the field during the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match between Congo and Ivory Coast in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The Associated Press
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